'Missile defense begins here in Alaska,' Pence says at JBER

Vice President Mike Pence speaks to reporters with Alaska Gov. Bill Walker at his side during an Alaska visit at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage on Monday, Feb. 5, 2018. (John Thain/KTVA)

Vice President Mike Pence arrived in Anchorage for a whirlwind visit Monday evening, speaking with high-ranking military officials about Alaska’s missile defense systems en route to the Winter Olympics in South Korea.

Pence had been scheduled to arrive at 5 p.m., but his arrival and deplaning were delayed Monday night. A news conference was abruptly relocated to a hangar on base, beginning shortly after 7 p.m.

"At a time of increased provocations and threats from the rogue regime in North Korea, the work done with missile defense here at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson is more important than ever," Pence said. "Missile defense begins here in Alaska, and the American people and the world should know that our nation is secure; our defense against potential missile attacks is the best in the world."